The Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators (JATOO) is objecting to new conditions being imposed by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) for sub-franchise operators.

JATOO's president, Louis Barton, says some operators are being taken off their existing routes and some are being told they can only operate five days a week.

Acccording to Barton, some operators have seen increases in their sub-franchise fees and there are variations in the validity periods of the licences.

He says operators disagree with the new terms and are upset that there was no dialogue before implementation.

[LOC20]

The JATOO president says the lobby group has reached out to the transport ministry and it is hoping for an early intervention.

Barton says in the interim, the lobby group wants to see the new terms temporarily placed on hold so that the seizure of vehicles can stop.

Meanwhile, Marketing and Communications Manager at the JUTC, Clinton Clarke, says the bus company is open to holding discussions with the operators.